Individuals in Malaysia urged to take extra precautions in the current hot weather, in lieu of recent heat-related illness cases

The Health Ministry has called on the public to limit strenuous outdoor activities, take regular breaks in shaded areas and drink plenty of water as hot weather persists across parts of the country.

The Ministry of Health Malaysia has urged the public to take extra precautions in the current hot weather, especially when carrying out outdoor or strenuous physical activities.

The advisory follows the hot weather status issued by the Malaysian Meteorological Department at 6.00am on 3 May 2026, which placed several areas in Kedah, Kelantan and Sabah under Warning Level 1, or Caution.

This level is issued when daily maximum temperatures reach between 35°C and 37°C for at least three consecutive days.

According to MOH monitoring from 1 January to 3 May 2026, Malaysia has recorded 56 heat-related illness cases nationwide. These include:

MOH also reported two deaths due to heat stroke this year, of which one involved a two-year-old child left in a vehicle, and the other a 42-year-old man who was participating in a marathon in Penang.

According to MOH, both deaths occurred when weather conditions were still below Warning Level 1. However, the main risk factors were identified as extreme heat exposure in an indoor environment and prolonged strenuous physical activity, which led to severe dehydration and the body’s failure to regulate temperature.

The ministry added that its analysis found that 58% of heat-related illness cases were linked to physical activity during hot weather. Of the total, almost half involved sports and athletic activities such as cross-country running, sports training, and marathons, while the rest involved high-intensity physical training by security and operations teams.

As such, the Ministry of Health has advised the public to take the following precautions:

1. Limit strenuous physical activity and avoid prolonged exposure to hot weather.
2. If working outdoors, take more frequent breaks in shaded areas to cool the body.
3. Drink plenty of plain water, even when not feeling thirsty.
4. Use personal protection such as hats, umbrellas, and light-coloured clothing.
5. Ensure infants, children, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses remain hydrated and are closely monitored.
6. Never leave children alone in vehicles.
7. Seek immediate medical treatment if symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, muscle cramps or extreme fatigue occur.

MOH also urged government agencies, schools, educational institutions and care centres to take preventive steps when planning outdoor activities.

The public can check the latest hot weather status on the METMalaysia website and refer to MOH’s health advisory on preventing heat-related illnesses during hot weather.

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